HOW TO FIND US:

Directions to the Physics Department

    If you are driving, check out Northwestern University's directions to Evanston. If you come by taxi, tell the driver to bring you to the Technological Institute (TECH) at Northwestern University in Evanston - 2145 Sheridan Road. The TECH Institute is a large raised-Prairie-style, pre-WW2 building. It sprawls along the east side of Sheridan Road, directly across from a parking lot that occupies the block between Noyes St. and Haven St.

    [If the driver needs additional coordinates (unlikely), tell him that the address on Sheridan Road is about 4 blocks south of Lincoln St. or 4 blocks north of Church St. There are two large churches, one on either side of the road, immediately south of TECH.]

    Enter through the main entrance of the TECH Institute, or through the side door on the right side of the plaza. Physics is in the "F" Wing. (Click here for a map of the TECH wings.)

From O'Hare International Airport to Evanston:

    Taxis: The ride to Evanston takes from 35-50 minutes, depending on traffic congestion and weather conditions. Flag any cab at the taxi lane. The fare to Evanston is roughly $28 but can range up to $65.

    Disadvantage: These are Chicago city cabs. Sometimes the drivers don't know the north shore area. Also, it is legal (though not required) for Chicago cabs to multiply the meter rate by 150% when they cross the city limits. (O'Hare is inside the Chicago city limits.)

    Insider tip: Call Norshore Taxi at 1-800-244-9200 or 1-847-864-7500. The fare to Evanston is a flat rate of $23 (plus tip). It takes approximately 5-10 minutes to pick you up outside the baggage claim area.

    Advantage: They know the north shore area, including Evanston. To call them, proceed to the baggage claim area and locate a phone. (Do this after you have claimed your baggage!) They will ask you what airline you were on, and the number of the nearest exit to your baggage area, which will be above the exit door. They will pick you up at the middle island; Norshore cabs are light yellow-green and the dispatcher will give you the cab number and ask for your name.

    On-Airport Car Rental: Several major car rental companies have counters at O'Hare. However, it is suggested that you arrange your rental in advance through a travel or rental agency. The availability of cars can be very limited for walk-up customers.

    Downtown and Suburban Shuttles: The overwhelming majority go to downtown Chicago. However, there is a shuttle which goes to the Omni-Orrington Hotel in Evanston, which is only a couple of blocks from Northwestern.

    Disadvantage: It can be a very long time between round trips for this shuttle.

    The "EL" (Chicago Transit Authority Train): Last but not least, you might consider a scenic ride through the railyards of Chicago on the Elevated Train, or EL. The EL is recommended only if you are traveling on a low budget, because it is by far the cheapest form of public transportation (typically less than $2.00). It is also by far the most time-consuming way to go from O'Hare to Evanston. Excellent on-line maps of the EL routes are available at the CTA website.

    EL Directions

      Take the Blue Line from O'Hare to downtown Chicago (approximately 45 minutes). Change at the Washington and State Street station to the Red Line, which will be going northbound to Howard Street. (Howard Street is the boundary between Chicago and Evanston.) After approximately 45 minutes you will arrive at the Howard terminal. Switch to the Purple Line (the Evanston Express). After ten minutes more, exit at Noyes Street. From here it is eight more minutes walking eastbound along Noyes Street to the TECH institute.

      During rush hours you can save 15 minutes by changing to the Purple Line at an earlier stop. Rush hours are 5:30am to 9:30am, and 3:30pm to 5:30pm. You will have to pay a surcharge of 50¢ on the train and 25¢ at the ticket booth. Take the Blue Line from O'Hare to downtown Chicago. Change at the Randolph and Clark Street station to the faster Purple Line (the Evanston Express). After about 45 minutes exit at the Noyes Street station. From here it is eight more minutes walking eastbound along Noyes Street to the TECH institute.
From Midway Airport to Evanston:

There are no good solutions here - select O'Hare if you possibly can.

  • J.J. Limo, 1-800-548-3793
    45-60 minutes depending on traffic - $45/person

  • A taxi from Midway takes about an hour, and costs about $40 to $45.

  • Public transit: Take the Orange Line from Midway to downtown. Then take the Red Line to Howard Street, and switch over to the Purple line to get from Howard Street to Noyes Street, close by the University.

  • Save money and maybe some time by taking the Orange Line from Midway to downtown, then getting off at the Randolph and Wabash Street station where there's a cab stand. Take a $20 cab ride from downtown to Evanston.

  • Another alternative: Take the Orange Line downtown, then take a taxi to the Metra North station. Take the North Line commuter train to Evanston (get off at Davis Street).

    Disadvantage: The trains don't run that often. It can be a long wait at the Madison Street station.

Accommodations
    The Omni Orrington Hotel: Located in the heart of downtown Evanston. Tell the cab driver to drop you off at the Orrington Hotel on 1710 Orrington Avenue in downtown Evanston. Their telephone number is 847-866-8700.

    The Holiday Inn Evanston: Located in the heart of downtown Evanston. Tell the cab driver to drop you off at the Holiday Inn on 1501 Sherman Avenue. Their telephone number is 847-491-6400.

Tips for international visitors:

When you get through immigration and customs at O'Hare Airport, you should get some of your currency changed into small denomination bills. Many businesses in the U.S. do not accept bills larger than $20.

Local phone calls are 35 cents - you insert the coins into the pay phone, then dial the 7-digit local number. For long-distance calls (e.g. from O'Hare to downtown Chicago) dial 1+(area code)+(7-digit-number). If the call does not go through, the money is returned to you when you hang up the receiver. Calling Evanston from the airport is a long-distance call, so calls to Evanston need our area code prefix, 847, plus the the leading prefix 1. In other words, you would dial: 1-847-(7-digit Evanston number).

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